Newark building likely to collapse once bus is removed, city official says

The scene of a bus and taxi accident on Market Street in Newark. The accident snarled traffic throughout downtown Newark. 12/19/13 (John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

NEWARK — The commercial building downtown that was hit by a bus early this morning will likely collapse once the vehicle is pulled out, a city official said.

"When they move the bus, the building is going to collapse," said Esmeralda Diaz Cameron, the city's spokeswoman.

The NJ Transit bus collided with a yellow taxi on Market Street around 12:40 a.m., authorities said. The two vehicles traveled 90 feet across the road, and the bus slammed into the brick building near the corner of Market and Washington streets, they added.

Ten people were injured – the two drivers, and eight bus passengers – and were taken to University Hospital, Newark police said this morning. The bus driver – who police said was the worst injured – was released later this morning, a spokesman for NJ Transit said.

At noon, the bus was still lodged in the building. The smashed taxicab is still on the sidewalk, too. Police officers were directing traffic down Market Street, which had been reduced to one lane each way.

A small excavator was digging in front of the bus, preparing for the next round of work.

Although Market Street has a slow crawl of traffic, surrounding intersections have been backed up in the tangle of diversions and barricades.

NJ Transit spokesman William Smith said the bus was headed for Newark's Penn Station when it was struck by the taxi.

Cameron said Mayor Luis Quintana stopped by the scene earlier today to assess the damage.

"Mayor Quintana commended all the police, fire and first responders on the scene," Cameron said. "The cause of the accident is still under investigation."